music update

I’m happy to share another update to the music page of the blog. It has been a productive few months and I’ve had the joy of being commissioned to create new work by several colleagues and friends. Take a look at the descriptions below and don’t hesitate to contact me at lovedintobeing(at)gmail.com if you would like to purchase a piece. I also welcome new commissions and projects from congregations, ensembles and individuals.

Be Still, My Soul  - a spacious, expressive arrangement of the well-known hymn for upper voice and piano.

Christ Has No Body Now But Yours - a prayer of St. Teresa of Avila is set as a flowing, contemplative song. It is well-suited to themes of service, stewardship, incarnation/embodiment or can be used during Communion. It works equally well with the written piano part or accompanied by a sustained drone. The piece was written for a new worship community that is in formation thanks to Presbyterian Welcome.

God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian – this setting of Carl Daw’s evocative text has a mysterious, contemplative character. It can be used for the ordination and installation of clergy and church leaders. A suggested choral arrangement is included in the score; it can easily be adapted to suit different combinations of singers and/or instruments.

Hodie, Christus natus est – a joyous Christmas carol for unison treble or mixed choir with piano, double bass and Orff instruments or handbells. The piece juxtaposes a Latin refrain and newly-written verses with poetic images of Christ that are geared toward children and youth. Commissioned by the Emily Scott and the Children’s Music Ministry of First Presbyterian Church, it will be performed on December 18 in their 11 a.m. service, and again on Christmas Eve for their 5 p.m. Family Service. It will also be performed by the Park Avenue Youth Chorale at our Annual Christmas Concert on December 20 at 8 p.m.

Nearer, My God, to Thee – this lyrical, expressive hymntune is a new setting of Sarah Flower Adams’ well-known text, which is based on Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:11–19. The piece works very well with a solo instrument to intone the melody and support the congregation’s singing.

We Cannot Live by Bread Alone – an alternative Gospel Acclamation for the Lenten season or a song that can be sung to prepare for the hearing of Scripture. An easy call and response piece that can be learned quickly.

our songs can change the world

A Facebook friend posted this interview with Leymah Gbowee, a recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. I love her words about the role that a song played in her faith journey, especially in a time of discouragement and struggle.

I didn’t know the hymn she quoted but a Google search led to Miriam Therese Winter and the Medical Mission Sisters, an order of Roman Catholic religious who likely brought the piece to Africa while doing medical and educational work. It’s a fascinating and beautiful connection and an amazing example of how the songs we sing and the songs we share can change the world! I’ve printed the text below and included a link to the composer’s webpage if you’d like to order the music.

My Lord he died for a kingdom
To redeem the hearts of men.
Now my people don’t you weep,
He has risen from His sleep.
He lives again, ALLELUIA!

Chorus
SING ALLELUIA, THE LORD IS RISEN
HE IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA.

My Lord came forth like the morning
With the splendor of the sun
Came triumphant from the womb,
From the darkness of the tomb,
The victory won, ALLELUIA! Chorus

My Lord united our mountains,
With the everlasting hills
Now the seasons and the sea
Sing a song of victory
Rocks and rills, ALLELUIA! Chorus

My Lord renewed all creation
that had waited late and long.
Now we all with one accord
Live and love the risen Lord
This is our song, ALLELUIA! Chorus

-Miriam Therese Winter, music available at http://mtwinter.hartsem.edu/secret.htm

music update

The music page has been updated with several new pieces, including responsive Psalms, hymn tunes, choral music and vocal music. Please take a peek at some of the new material and let me know what you think.

I also have some exciting bits of news:

1. My piece, “Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me,” has been included in the new Presbyterian Hymnal Sampler, a brief collection of music and liturgy being considered for the denomination’s new hymnal.  Congregations that have purchased copies of the sampler are welcome to use the piece in worship and I’ve already received much positive feedback from musicians and pastors. If your congregation hasn’t purchased the Sampler and you’d like to use it, you must request permission from me directly.  To that end, I am offering a modestly-priced license that will enable you to use the piece whenever you like. Prices vary based on the size of your congregation. Click on the following link for an idea of what a license will cost for a congregation of 100-500. Other pricing options are available on the same site.

2. The piece also being used in the “Many Voices, One Song” initiative, which invites all Presbyterians to sing the same hymn/song in worship on the same day. “Glory to God Whose Goodness Shines on Me” will be sung around the country on Jan. 8, 2012 (Epiphany/Baptism of the Lord). Congregations are granted permission for bulletin or projection use, however, each congregation must use the copyright lines printed underneath the selection in the Sampler, followed by “Permission granted by the copyright holder for use in worship service on [insert specific Sunday date].”  This is not a blanket permission for reproduction on dates outside of the “Many Voices, One Song” campaign; individual permissions must be requested from me directly.

3. I’ll be participating in my 4th Music that Makes Community conference in Houston, TX from October 6-8. The event is designed specifically for clergy, musicians, and lay people who want to learn how to lead music effectively without the use of hymnals or other printed materials. If you are in the Houston area please consider attending this remarkable event.

Keep posted for further updates. I’ve got a few recent commissions that I’m working on and finished a few new pieces this summer. I’ll post new material as soon as I’m able.